| Fashionable Giving & Community Recognition |
The public, the media and our clients continue to be fascinated with the Organization By Design, Inc. story. Yes, it’s true, Mary Lou Andre did start the company in 1992 with no capital and actually sold her wedding dress to pay for the company’s original stationary and business cards!
Although she continues to be recognized for her savvy and creative business-building techniques (see Mary Lou receiving the 1999 Avon Spirit of Enterprise Award below), the growth and ultimate success of Organization By Design can be attributed to a concept we refer to as "Fashionable Giving."
We believe that when you give, you get back much more than you ever give away, and we are devoting this section of our site to promote our corporate philosophy of "doing well by doing good." We hope you’ll be motivated by some of our ideas on how you, too, can make a difference in the lives of others.
Dress for Success — Empowering Women One Suit at a Time
| Mary Lou with Dress for Success Boston co-founders Nancy Schneider (right) and Enith Levine (left). Says Nancy — "You are known by the company you keep and we are very proud and grateful to have you in our midst. Thanks to you and your exceptional staff for helping us in so many ways. We consider you a friend and supporter of the highest caliber." |
Dress for Success is a non-profit organization that provides interview suits to low-income women seeking employment. Their New York City-based web site lists the names, addresses and telephone numbers of "sister" and "cousin" organizations across the country (and in many other countries!) and how you can make a donation at a location near you. Our association with Dress for Success Boston allows our clients, colleagues and online community to easily connect with this organization and make in-kind and monetary donations to further their mission. We were particularly proud to mark the launch of Mary Lou's book "Ready to Wear: An Expert's Guide to Choosing and Using Your Wardrobe" on February 29, 2004 with a "Leap into Spring" Book Signing and Fashion Event to benefit Dress for Success Boston.In addition, each spring we partner with our friends at Kimpton Hotels and Restaurants to create and host a fashion fundraising event for Dress for Success Boston.
| » 2004 "Ready To Wear" Book Signing Photos | » 2007 Kimpton Hotel Benefit Photos |
Multiple Sclerosis — Sometimes You Just Have to Get Involved
| Pictured above at "Women Against MS: A Celebration of Extraordinary Women" is Mary Lou, actress Teri Garr and Arlyn White, President and CEO of the Central New England Multiple Sclerosis Society. Notes Arlyn, "All non-profits depend on strong leadership. Mary Lou's willingness to commit countless hours, personal resources and her impressive business acumen to our cause make her truly stand out among her peers...We are deeply grateful for the profound difference Mary Lou has made to end the devastating effects of multiple sclerosis." |
When Mary Lou was reacquainted with her childhood friend Karen Van Houten in September of 1999, she was stunned to see first-hand the devastating effects of multiple sclerosis on such a young woman. When she was told that 78% of all people affected by MS are in fact women and most are diagnosed between the ages of 28 and 40, it was easy for her to team up with Karen to create and co-chair "Dressing Well — An Evening to Benefit MS." This three-year fashion show fundraising event concluded in October 2002 and raised a total of $215,000. Our commitment to the MS Society continued in 2003 when Mary Lou served as the Mistress of Ceremonies for Women Against MS: A Celebration of Extraordinary Women. The event featured keynote speaker, actress and National MS Ambassador, Teri Garr, who was diagnosed with MS in 1990. In 2004, Mary Lou received a MS leadership award for her vision and commitment to the organization. To read more about why we support the on-going work of the MS Society, click here.
| » 2001 MS Event Photo Album | » 2002 MS Event Photo Album |
Belle of the Ball — Lessons from a Prom Dress
| Mary Lou with Arthur Anton, President of Anton’s Cleaners at the 2007 event at Simmons College in Boston. Praises Arthur, "The radiant smiles, enthusiastic comments and excitement among the girls are all testimony to the program’s success. Our efforts would not be nearly as successful without your partnership. The enthusiasm and energy you continue to bring to this event creates a vibrant atmosphere. The training session and advice you give to the volunteer personal shoppers is invaluable. You set the tone for what is expected and the results are superb." |
Every once in a while, it’s nice to step out of your own world and into the world of others to experience a slice of life that is quite different than your own. Each spring members of our firm get this opportunity when we co-sponsor "The Belle of Ball" with our friends at Anton’s Dry Cleaners. The goal of this event is to collect, dry clean and distribute prom dresses to high school junior and senior girls who are unable to afford a dress for their school’s prom. When you give a girl a dress, she can go to her prom. However, when you establish an event where she can come and receive one-on-one attention from her very own personal shopper, she begins to see her body in a new light. By learning what cuts and styles look best on her body, she is given a gift of confidence — a gift that can often last a lifetime.
| » 2006 Belle of the Ball Photos | » 2007 Belle of the Ball Photos |
Building a Civic-Minded Company — It Starts with Commitment
| Pictured with Mary Lou in 1999 (who is eight months pregnant with twins in this photograph!) at the Avon Spirit of Enterprise Awards are from left to right Angelo Rossi, Regional Vice President, Avon Products; Elaine Guiney, District Director of the US Small Business Administration and event hostess Suzanne Bates. At the time, Suzanne was the morning anchor at WBZ-TV Boston. Suzanne is now the CEO of Bates Communications and continues to be one of our biggest supporters. Notes Suzanne, "Mary Lou is a force of nature. If she makes her mind up to do something, it gets done. It is my pleasure to call her both a friend and colleague." |
One of the high points of Mary Lou’s career was when she received the prestigious 1999 Avon Spirit of Enterprise Award in recognition of her professional accomplishments as an entrepreneurial rising star. Click here to read Mary Lou’s acceptance speech. Building a civic minded company starts with commitment. Follow this link to read "The Business of Caring" — one of the best articles that has been written about our "Fashionable Giving" philosophy.
Over the years we have partnered with other civic-minded companies to bring our Dressing Well™ message to larger and larger audiences while helping raise money for a variety of worthwhile causes. These events also allow our staff, clients and colleagues to get involved and make a difference, too. From the Massachusetts Breast Cancer Coalition to the YWCA of Boston to the Urban League to many schools, churches and organizations in the hometowns of our fashion consultants and clients, we have become known for our spirit of giving.
For more information about other charities we support all year long, visit the "Feel Good Sites" section of the resource guide on our website. If you are interested in having Mary Lou present "The Art of Self Marketing" to your organization or at a women’s conference, give our office a call. This presentation highlights Mary Lou’s entrepreneurial journey while educating the audience about her "Top Ten Guiding Business Principals." Audiences leave her presentation inspired about how they can incorporate philanthropy into their own lives and businesses.